Real Estate Agent License Requirements in Maine
- Training hours
- 55 hrs
- Upfront cost
- $285
- Exam
- Sales Agent Licensing Examination
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Issuing board
- Maine Real Estate Commission (Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation)
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Be at least 18 years old, High school diploma or equivalent, pass a criminal background check. Applicants must be at least 18 at the time of application, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and pass a criminal records check ($21 fee). A Sales Agent license must be affiliated with a licensed real estate agency and can only perform brokerage services under the supervision of the agency's designated broker. [4]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete 55 hours of training at a state-approved program. Applicants must complete the Commission-approved Sales Agent course (minimum 55 hours per the Commission's official course-outline requirement, including 3 quizzes and a final exam) with a final grade of at least 75%. The Sales Agent license is Maine's entry-level tier; after 2 years affiliated with an agency, agents must complete a further 60-hour Associate Broker course to advance, since the Sales Agent license itself cannot be renewed. [1]
- 3
Sales Agent Licensing Examination
Pass the Sales Agent Licensing Examination (fee: $85). 120 multiple-choice questions in two sections, 4 hours total; minimum scaled score of 75 on each section to pass Candidates must bring their original Sales Agent Course Completion Certificate to the exam site. The exam must be passed within one year of completing the Sales Agent course, and the license application must be submitted within one year of passing the exam. [2]
- 4
Submit your application
Submit your application to Maine Real Estate Commission (Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation) with the $100 application fee. [3]
- 5
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, Maine Real Estate Commission (Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation) issues your Real Estate Sales Agent License for Maine.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [3] | $100 |
| License fee [3] | $100 |
| Renewal fee [3] | None specified |
| Sales Agent Licensing Examination [2] | $85 |
| Criminal Records Check Fee [3] | $21 |
There is no distinction between an application fee and a license fee; the combined $100 Application/License fee plus $21 Criminal Records Check fee (totaling $121, per the Commission's own FAQ) is submitted with the license application. Renewal fee is null because the Sales Agent license is non-renewable by statute -- agents must advance to the Associate Broker license (also $100 biennial renewal) before the 2-year term expires, or apply for a $100 Sales Agent Extension.
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 2 years.
The Sales Agent license has a fixed 2-year term but is NOT renewable -- no continuing education is required or accepted for it. Agents must instead complete 2 years of active agency affiliation and the 60-hour Associate Broker course to progress to an Associate Broker license (which does renew biennially with 21 hours of CE, including the current core course). A Sales Agent Extension Application ($100 fee) is available if the Associate Broker class hasn't been completed before expiration.
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.
Maine issues an equivalent license to anyone holding a current, active real estate license in another jurisdiction, regardless of which state -- there is no fixed partner-state list. Reciprocal applicants of any license level must pass the Maine Law examination (administered by Pearson VUE) and furnish verification of licensure in good standing (including any disciplinary history) from every state where they hold or have held a license; the fee is the standard $100 application/license fee plus $21 criminal records check. Sales Agent-level licenses specifically are NOT eligible for reciprocal reinstatement once expired -- reciprocity applies at the Associate Broker/Broker level.
Cost calculator
- $100
- $100
- $85
Frequently asked questions
How many hours of pre-license education does Maine require to become a Sales Agent?
A Commission-approved Sales Agent course of at least 55 hours, passed with a minimum grade of 75%, followed by the Sales Agent Exam.
Who administers the Maine Sales Agent exam, and what does it cost?
Pearson VUE administers the exam ($85 fee) at test sites in Westbrook and Bangor. It must be passed within one year of finishing the Sales Agent course.
Can I renew my Maine Sales Agent license?
No. The Sales Agent license has a 2-year term but is not renewable and requires no continuing education. To keep practicing, agents must complete 2 years of active agency affiliation plus the 60-hour Associate Broker course to upgrade to an Associate Broker license before their Sales Agent term ends (or apply for a $100 extension).
Do I need to be affiliated with a brokerage to hold a Maine Sales Agent license?
Yes. A Sales Agent must be affiliated with a licensed real estate agency and can only perform brokerage services under the supervision of that agency's designated broker.
Does Maine offer reciprocity for licensees from other states?
Yes, for any state -- there's no restricted list. Reciprocal applicants must pass the Maine Law exam through Pearson VUE and provide license history verification, but Sales Agent-level reciprocal reinstatement is not available; reciprocity is for Associate Broker/Broker-level licenses.
Sources
- [1] maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/sites/maine.gov.pfr.professionallicensing/files/inline-files/Sales-Agent-QE-Requirement-Overview.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12
- [2] pearsonvue.com/us/en/me/realestate.html — accessed 2026-07-12
- [3] maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/real-estate-commission/frequently-asked-questions/sales-agent-entry-level-licensing — accessed 2026-07-12
- [4] maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/real-estate-commission/licensing/individual-licenses — accessed 2026-07-12